Titles on the line for U14 & U18 Kings

THUNDER BAY – Both the Thunder Bay under-14 and U18 Kings will be on the ice this weekend competing for titles in their respective age brackets.

The U18s will host the Kenora Thistles for Hockey Northwestern Ontario Branch laurels at Fort William First Nation Arena while the U14s head to Sudbury in the quest for a Northern Ontario Hockey League postseason crown.

Thunder Bay and Kenora open up their best-of-three series Friday in an 8 p.m. start at FWFNA.

They’ll then meet Saturday at 7 p.m. in Game No. 2.

Should a third and deciding match-up be required, it will be held Sunday at 1 p.m.

Awaiting the HNO U18 winner will be a trip to Regina, Sask., for the TELUS Cup West Regional, which goes April 2-5. 

The western winner will then move on to the TELUS Cup Canadian U18 AAA championship, April 20-26, in Peterborough, Ont.

Meanwhile, the U14 Kings travel to the ‘Nickel City’ where they’ll compete in the NOHL’s playoff tournament to determine a winner there.

Thunder Bay begins play Friday at 10 a.m. versus the host Sudbury Wolves.

They’ll then take on the North Bay Trappers at 7 p.m., later that same day.

Wrapping up round robin competition Saturday, the Kings will meet the Soo Jr. Greyhounds at noon.

Further games will be determined based on the results of their initial contests.

SCHEDULE

Friday, March 20
U14: vs. Sudbury Wolves 10 a.m. (Chelmsford)
U14: vs. North Bay Trappers 7 p.m. (Chelmsford)
U18: vs. Kenora Thistles 8 p.m. (FWFNA)

Saturday, March 21
U14: vs. Soo Jr. Greyhounds 12 p.m. (Chelmsford)
U18: vs. Kenora Thistles 7 p.m. (FWFNA)

Sunday, March 22
U14: T.B.D.
U18*: vs. Kenora Thistles 1 p.m. (FWFNA)
*-if necessary

Photo credit: James Mirabelli